India-Bangladesh land swap will benefit Assam, says Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday said his government was committed to the development of the northeast region, and assured the people of Assam that the land swap deal with Bangladesh will stop illegal infiltration and not compromise their security.

The prime minister, who Saturday began a three-day visit to the northeast, was speaking at a public rally at the Sarusajai Stadium here.

Modi said he will use the land swap deal to stop infiltration from Bangladesh and for the benefit of Assam.

“I know the sentiments of the people of Assam. I assure you that I am going to use the proposed land swap deal for the benefit of Assam. I am going to make such arrangements that the land swap deal with Bangladesh benefits Assam,” he said.

“I am going to use the land swap deal to stop illegal infiltration from Bangladesh, which has been a perennial problem for the state. I am also going to use the land swap deal to ensure security along the border in Assam,” Modi said while seeking the consent of the people.

“It may seem a loss for Assam at present, but I will make arrangements so that it benefits Assam in the long run,” he said.

Modi said the government has changed at the Centre and his government was committed to fulfilling all the commitments made earlier.

“There will be no compromise on the security of the people of Assam and I will ensure that the people of Assam get their rights,” he said.

He said the Bharatiya Janata Party has always been involved in “politics of development”, and it was the BJP that forced other parties to discuss developmental issues.

“People must realise that the government in New Delhi has changed and we are here to serve the nation. We have already initiated efforts to develop the northeast region, and all the states in the region will get a new engine of development soon,” he said.